A new school which will cater largely for pupils with social, emotional and mental health
needs has been given the go ahead by Ofsted.
Elm House School will be located in Mill Street, Cheadle.
The curriculum has been designed to reflect the needs of the pupils that will
attend. Learning focuses initially on responding to any gaps in pupils’ knowledge in
core subjects, such as English and mathematics. A range of assessments will be used to
find out what pupils know and can do.
A pre-opening inspection carried out by Ofsted also concluded that the school will adopt a therapeutic curriculum, and support from a wide body of experts, will also be on hand.
As well as assessing pupils’ academic needs, the school intends to assess pupils’
personal development through their ‘Restorative education measures programme’.
This programme tracks pupils’ self-care, their ability to form relationships and
attachments, self-perception, self-management and self-awareness, and emotional
competence.
The school is a former guest house and is situated in a residential area. Ofsted conclude that the classrooms are clean and bright and there is new lighting throught the building.
The proposed school will join a family of well-established provisions. Halliwell Homes
has several schools in the north of England and a recently opened school in Stoke-onTrent.
The Ofsted report can be read here: https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50159414
